D. Ventura
Viña Caneiro 2006
(un-oaked, unfiltered; 14%)
$26
Deep, plumy, murky red. Pure, rustic, ripe fruit, minerals. Big, rich, loaded with fruit, but very juicy and delicious with a long, intriguing earthy minerality in the finish. Superb. 92 pts. -G.W. (Wine News Oct/Nov 2007)
From The International Wine Cellar
90 Points
2007 Pena do Lobo
Ribeira Sacra
$25; 100% mencía
Vivid red color. Peppery red- and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by musky underbrush and minerals. Smoky redcurrant and bitter cherry on the palate, with tangy acidity contributing cut and spine. Very fresh, food-flexible wine with noteworthy finishing lift and spiciness. -J.R. (IWC 9/08)
90 Points
2007 Viña do Burato
Ribeira Sacra
$21; 100% mencía
Medium red. Musky cherry and cassis on the nose, with subtle floral and mineral qualities. Juicy red fruits on the palate are framed and lifted by tangy acidity. Becomes sweeter with air, taking on a black raspberry quality and finishing with sneaky, sweet persistence. There's a pinot-like elegance here that I find appealing. -J.R. (IWC 9/08)
89 Points
2006 D Ventura, Viña do Burato
Ribeira Sacra
$16; 100% mencia
Light purple. Primal redcurrant and raspberry aromas are brightened by peppery minerality. Racy, sharply focused red berry flavors are admirably brisk and palate-staining. Gains riper cherry and dark berry qualities on the long, gently tannic finish. Serious flavor with minimal weight here. - J.R. (IWC Sept/Oct 07)
90 Points
2006 D Ventura, Pena do Lobo
Ribeira Sacra
$19 Medium red. Spicy redcurrant and rhubarb on the nose, with a fine mineral overlay. Tangy, focused red berry flavors benefit from nervy acid lift and show no noticeable tannins. Finishes with excellent precision and mineral grip, with no excess fat. I love this wine's elegance but suspect that some will find it austere. This is the polar opposite of Mollydooker. – J.R. (IWC Sept/Oct 07)
91 Points
2006 D Ventura, Viña Caneiro
Ribeira Sacra
$26 Dark red. Intensely aromatic nose offers pungent red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The tightly wound finish features a deeper bitter cherry quality and outstanding length. I find these wines awfully intriguing. – J.R. (IWC Sept/Oct 07)
87 Points
D. Ventura
Viña Caneiro 2005
Ribeira Sacra
$22
Bright red. Fresh, perfumed aromas of cherry, blackberry and licorice. There's good weight and a stony quality to the dark fruit flavors, which are firmed by fine tannins. Finishes with good grip and a lingering note of blackcurrant. -J.R. (Sept/Oct 2006)
